ERIN BACKS, Westminster finance director.
By Jim Tortolano
Orange County Tribune
A key step toward asking residents how they would feel about two possible tax measures was taken at Wednesday night’s meeting of the Westminster City Council.
What’s proposed – as a step toward achieving “financial stability” – is the city will spend $35,000 to hire an opinion research firm to conduct public opinion polling about an increase in the city’s transient occupancy tax – commonly known as “bed tax” charged to guests at hotels and motels – and initiate a tax on the sale of cannabis (marijuana-derived) products within the city.
What was before the council didn’t actually require a vote of the council. “This is within my spending authority,” said City Manager Christine Cordon, “so if you have any particular objections, this is the time.”
But there were none, and the council voted to “receive and file” the summary given by Erin Backs, city finance director.
The survey, expected to take five to six weeks to complete, will be conducted in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
At least 400 Westminster residents will be questioned on their opinions using texts, photo calls and other means
Currently, Westminster’s “bed tax” is 8 percent.
The next meeting of the Westminster City Council is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11 at 8200 Westminster Blvd. (one block east of Beach Boulevard in the Civic Center).
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